ANDREA SANDERS BSN, RN
108 Betha Ln, San Francisco,CA
Summary
Nurse leader with 10 years of ICU and research infusion experience caring for diverse and medically complex pediatric populations specialize in high-acuity pediatric care and complex, protocol-driven research infusions, working across multiple UCSF campuses to support equitable, safe, and consistent care delivery. My roles have strengthened my skills in interprofessional collaboration, systems thinking, and workflow optimization—particularly around nurse training, infusion readiness, and rare-disease care. I am pursuing graduate studies to expand my leadership capacity and contribute to system-level improvements that advance patient safety, staff preparedness, and health equity.”
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
PICU Staff Nurse II
Kaiser Permanente
08.2025 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive critical care to pediatric patients with life-threatening illnesses, traumatic injuries, sepsis, respiratory failure, and neurological conditions
- Managed ventilators, invasive lines (central/PICC/art lines), and titrated critical infusions including pressors, sedatives, and anticonvulsant's.
- Neurological monitoring (ICP monitoring, seizure management)
- Ventilator management and airway support.
- Interacted with child life, physicians and social workers in cases involving concerns about overall well-being.
- Trained family members in how to care for patients and manage individual conditions.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Promoted continuity of care by working closely with physicians to update treatment plans based on changes in patient condition or response to therapy.
- Ensured safety by adhering to infection control protocols and handling hazardous materials according to regulatory guidelines.
- Managed complex infusion cases involving multiple medications simultaneously, ensuring proper dosing, compatibility, and timing to maximize treatment effectiveness.
- Cultivated strong relationships with patients and their caregivers by providing empathetic support, education on self-care strategies, and addressing concerns throughout the course of treatment.
- Increased patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and individualized care to critically ill pediatric patients in the PICU.
Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU/ ICUStep-down
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital/UCSF Medical Center San Francisco
04.2022 - Current
- Provided critical care to neonates, infants, and pediatric patients with complex congenital and acquired heart conditions in a high-acuity CVICU/CVTCU setting.
- Collaborated closely with cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, intensivists, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver individualized, evidence-based care
- Administered complex medication regimens, including vasoactive infusions, sedatives, and anticoagulants, adhering to pediatric-specific protocols.
- Provided post-operative care for open-heart surgery patients, including chest tube management, pacing wires, and invasive lines.
- Administered chemotherapy, pain medications and other medicines based on physician orders and patient requirements.
- Developed individualized care plans to address the unique needs of each patient undergoing cancer treatment.
Research Infusion Nurse/ Pediatric ICU
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
03.2021 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive critical care to pediatric patients with life-threatening illnesses, traumatic injuries, sepsis, respiratory failure, and neurological conditions
- Managed ventilators, invasive lines (central/PICC/art lines), and titrated critical infusions including pressors, sedatives, and anticonvulsant's.
- Neurological monitoring (ICP monitoring, seizure management)
- Coordinated and managed pediatric clinical research trials in compliance with IRB, GCP, FDA, and institutional protocols.
- Provide it specialized nursing care and support to patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) as part of clinical research studies.
- Assisted in the implementation in coordination of clinical trials, Ensuring compliance with protocols and ethical guidelines.
- Ventilator management and airway support.
- Interacted with child life, physicians and social workers in cases involving concerns about overall well-being.
- Trained family members in how to care for patients and manage individual conditions.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Promoted continuity of care by working closely with physicians to update treatment plans based on changes in patient condition or response to therapy.
- Ensured safety by adhering to infection control protocols and handling hazardous materials according to regulatory guidelines.
- Managed complex infusion cases involving multiple medications simultaneously, ensuring proper dosing, compatibility, and timing to maximize treatment effectiveness.
- Cultivated strong relationships with patients and their caregivers by providing empathetic support, education on self-care strategies, and addressing concerns throughout the course of treatment.
- Increased patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and individualized care to critically ill pediatric patients in the PICU.
- Maintained detailed records of adverse events, facilitating timely reporting to regulatory agencies and sponsors.
Adult ICU Travel Nurse
Snap Nurse
11.2020 - Current
- Provided critical care to adult and trauma patients with life-threatening conditions including sepsis, ARDS, traumatic brain injuries, hemorrhagic shock, and multi-system trauma.
- Titrated vasoactive drips, sedation, and analgesia in accordance with rapidly changing patient status and evidence-based protocols.
- Performed frequent and thorough neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory assessments; monitored invasive lines (CVP, arterial) and implemented targeted interventions.
- Provided trauma resuscitation and stabilization in collaboration with emergency and surgical teams, often transitioning from ED to ICU post-op recovery.
- Ventilator management and airway support. Made adjustments to promote stabilization.
- Provide direct patient care for patients with neurologic injuries, such as: cerebrovascular Accident, intracranial / subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, And/or acute neuromuscular diseases.
- Direct care of patients receiving continuous Intravenous infusion (norepinephrine, dobutamine, heparin, Precedex, etc.) patient care includes every 15 min vital signs and input and output monitoring.
- Telemetry patients include direct patient care for hemodynamically unstable patients with continuous cardiac monitoring
- Neurological monitoring (ICP monitoring, seizure management)
- End-of-life care and palliative support.
- Participates in the implementation of patient care standards, infection control standards and quality assurance criteria; assist with conducting studies; participates in unit and other meetings.
- Interprets and explains procedures, regimens, and services to patients and families; teaches patients and family members health care and disease prevention techniques.
- Utilizes evidenced based best practice by hourly rounding on all assigned patients.
Adult ICU Clinical Nurse 2
Alameda Health System
12.2019 - 07.2021
- Provided critical care to adult and trauma patients with life-threatening conditions including sepsis, ARDS, traumatic brain injuries, hemorrhagic shock, COVID-19.
- Titrated vasoactive drips, sedation, and analgesia in accordance with rapidly changing patient status and evidence-based protocols.
- Performed frequent and thorough neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory assessments; monitored invasive lines (CVP, arterial) and implemented targeted interventions.
- Provided trauma resuscitation and stabilization in collaboration with emergency and surgical teams, often transitioning from ED to ICU post-op recovery.
- Ventilator management and airway support. Made adjustments to promote stabilization.
- Provide direct patient care for patients with neurologic injuries, such as: cerebrovascular Accident, intracranial / subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, And/or acute neuromuscular diseases.
- Direct care of patients receiving continuous Intravenous infusion (norepinephrine, dobutamine, heparin, Precedex, etc.) patient care includes every 15 min vital signs and input and output monitoring.
- Telemetry patients include direct patient care for hemodynamically unstable patients with continuous cardiac monitoring
- Neurological monitoring (ICP monitoring, seizure management)
- End-of-life care and palliative support.
- Participates in the implementation of patient care standards, infection control standards and quality assurance criteria; assist with conducting studies; participates in unit and other meetings.
- Interprets and explains procedures, regimens, and services to patients and families; teaches patients and family members health care and disease prevention techniques.
- Utilizes evidenced based best practice by hourly rounding on all assigned patients.
Charge Nurse/Staff nurse
Kentfield hospital
12.2018 - 08.2020
- Able to perform a variety of task with strong clinical knowledge needed to care for the neurology and rehabilitation population as well as medical surgical population. This includes patients with acute stroke, TIA, TBI, Seizures, SCI, ortho-surgical patients and patients presenting with a variety of other medical conditions
- High Observation Unit” patients for receiving continuous Intravenous infusion (norepinephrine, dobutamine, heparin, Precedex, etc.) patient care includes every hour vital signs and input and output monitoring.
- Telemetry patients include direct patient care for hemodynamically unstable patients with continuous cardiac monitoring.
- Specialized in trach and ventilation weaning, tracheostomy care, suctioning, Lvad, Traumatic brain injury, gastrostomy tube, and catheters of critically ill patient
- Assure that the unit is performing safely by monitoring the nurse to patient ratio and assure the patients are properly divided.
- Make assignments based on the acuity of patients in a manner that reflects optimum use of available staff while prioritizing patient care needs.
- Strong ability to manage time effectively while performing complex task simultaneously.
- Educate patients regarding their medical conditions and/or any change in medication during stay in Hospital and at discharge
- Skilled nursing care including Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (wound vacuum), intravenous therapy, and drainage systems.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
Registered Nurse
Bright star care
09.2016 - 01.2020
- Performed assessments, disease instruction, and review, medication management, and skilled nursing care including Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (wound vacuum), intravenous therapy, and drainage systems
- Proficient in working with ventilator patients, hospice patients, tracheostomy care, suctioning, gastrostomy tube, catheters, and wound care
- Involved in providing education to client's based off of their individualized care plan
- Evaluated effectiveness of teaching from all clients after providing education
- Developed and implemented nursing care plans
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses Extensive
Leadership & Professional Highlights
- Spearheading a high-impact CN3 quality-improvement initiative— “Preparing Float Pool Nurses, New Hires, and Student Nurses for Research Infusion: An MPS-Focused Education Module” —designed to elevate infusion readiness, reduce workflow disruptions, and strengthen clinical safety for rare-disease pediatric patients.
- Author and developer of a comprehensive e-learning education module that is being adopted within the UCSF system for onboarding all new hires in the Research Infusion Department—modernizing staff education and ensuring consistent, high-quality training across the program.
- Serving as a staff educator and clinical resource , delivering hands-on training, competency support, and workflow guidance for new hires, float pool nurses, and student nurses entering the specialized research infusion environment.
- Leading the creation of structured education tools , including QR-coded bedside references, infusion workflow guides, and standardized EPIC charting instructions to increase nurse competence, confidence, and efficiency.
- Trusted preceptor and mentor , recognized for translating complex research protocols, rare-disease considerations, and high-acuity pediatric assessment into clear, actionable practice for learners at all levels.
- Emerging clinical leader actively preparing for CCRN certification , demonstrating commitment to advanced practice excellence and evidence-based critical care innovation.
- Key contributor to interdisciplinary decision-making , collaborating with physicians, pharmacists, research coordinators, and educators to streamline processes, enhance communication, and improve outcomes for medically fragile pediatric patients.
- Recognized resource nurse for high-risk and protocol-driven infusions , including enzyme replacement therapies and rare-disease care for MPS I, II (Hunter Syndrome), and III, ensuring safe infusion delivery and rapid escalation during adverse events or infusion reactions.
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE NURSING
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX
Licensure/Certifications/Memberships
Registered Nurse: California RN LIC. NO. 95106407
BLS Certification CPR/AED |
Basic Life Support
American Heart Association
ACLS|
Advanced Cardiovascular Life
Support
American Heart Association
PALS| Pediatric Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
American Heart Association
GCP Certification|
CITI certification
Responsible conduct in research Certification|
CITI certification
Clinical inquiry council: UCSF
Black caucus council: UCSF
Unit- based practice council: UCSF TCU
Nursing DEI council: UCSF
Timeline
PICU Staff Nurse II
Kaiser Permanente
08.2025 - Current
Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU/ ICUStep-down
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital/UCSF Medical Center San Francisco
04.2022 - Current
Research Infusion Nurse/ Pediatric ICU
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
03.2021 - Current
Adult ICU Travel Nurse
Snap Nurse
11.2020 - Current
Adult ICU Clinical Nurse 2
Alameda Health System
12.2019 - 07.2021
Charge Nurse/Staff nurse
Kentfield hospital
12.2018 - 08.2020
Registered Nurse
Bright star care
09.2016 - 01.2020